Caleb Williams entered this week as one of the very few unsigned first-round selections from this year’s NFL Draft.
Any worry the No 1 overall pick from April would not be participating in training camp is now done, as he signed a four-year, $39million contract with the Chicago Bears.
Williams is the likely Week 1 starter for the Bears after the team traded away Justin Fields, who started for them the three previous seasons, to the Pittsburgh Steelers in March.
Heading into this week, Williams was one of five unsigned first-round draftees, with another being teammate and former Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze.
Now both Odunze and Williams have inked deals and will be ready to go in the Windy City.
Williams signed his four-year, $39million rookie contract with the Chicago Bears this week
Williams was widely regarded as the best quarterback and overall player in this year’s draft after winning the Heisman Trophy at USC in 2022.
Last year did not bring the same on-field production from Williams with less talent around him on the Trojans.
That team dip did not move the needle on the hype surrounding Williams, as it was the worst-kept secret that the Bears were drafting him at No 1 overall for several months.
Six quarterbacks were taken in the first dozen picks of this year’s draft, including the top three spots overall, with the Commanders selecting Jayden Daniels and the Patriots taking Drake Maye.
The Minnesota Vikings have two of the three remaining unsigned rookies, including No 10 overall pick and former Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy.
This offseason, the Bears bolstered their offense with the signing of running back D’Andre Swift and trading for Keenan Allen to give Williams a true veteran No 1 target to throw to while Odunze develops.
